Privacy device and busy-signal for telephone apparatus and systems.



No. 817,390. PATENTED APR. 10. 1906.

E. A. REYNOLDS. PRIVACY DEVICE AND BUSY SIGNAL FOR TELEPHONE APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG Swims 11 4301 Z3 M M Q & ww @N wi/bwcooc a No. 817,390. PATENTED APR. 10, 1906.

E. A. REYNOLDS. PRIVAGYDEVIGE AND BUSY SIGNAL FOR TELEPHONE APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION r1 ED A G. 4.

U 190 2 SHBETS-SHEBT 2.

wk Q WITNESSES: INVENTOR 7 b a y @u fiATTORNEYS IINIE El STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EOBERT A. REYNOLDS, OF NEW YORK. Y., ASSIGNOR TO IRON TELE- PHONE COMPANY, OF NEW'YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 10, 1 906.

Applioation'filed August 19.1904. Serial 1%. 221,303.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EGBERT A. REYNOLDS,

a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a resident of New York city, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Privacy Devices and the line another arty on the same Busy-Signals for Telephone Apparatus and Systems, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to improvements in tele hone instruments and systems, and particu arly to improvements adapted for use in connection with party-line telephones.

My invention consists in certain improved means 011- party-lines for preventing interference between the different instruments on the same line, so that when one party is using line cannot hear what is eing said.

My invention, also consists in means for dis playing a signal indicating that the line is bem used to a party attempting to use the instrument on aline already occupied.

My invention also consists in certain novel details of construction and combination of parts, as will hereinafter be fully set forth.

Iwill now proceed to describe an apparatus and system embodying my inventionand will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is afragmentary view of a telephone set having a prlvacy device'and busy-signal embodyingmy invention, the parts being shown in their normal rest positions. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the receiver off the hook, the busy-signal set, and the privacy device in operation. Fig.

3 is a face view of certain mechanism in-.

cluded in the privacy device, showing the parts in their out-of-operation position. Fig. 4 is a top view showing the parts in their inoperation position. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuits employed.

In the illustration I have only shown such,

partsof 'a telephone set 'as are necessary for the full understanding of my invention, and

it will be understood that the invention is in.

' no wise limited to the particular class of instruments shown, as obviously it has a Wide range of adaptability.

In the present form I have shown a casing 1, supporting a telephone-hook 2, pivoted at known. I have shown the casing as supporting two sets of contact-springs 5, 6, 7, and 8. The contact-springs 5 and 6 are intended to be included in the ringing-circuit, and hence are normally closed. They form no part of the present invention, and hence they and the circuits therefor need not be referred to in detail. 1 The contact-springs 7 and 8 are intended to be located in the talking-circuit and are broken as to electric contact'in the normal position of the instrument. The telephone-hook 2' has an arm 9, carr ing a lateral1y-projecting stud 10, located between the lower ringing-circuit contact-spring 6 and the upper tal 'ng-circuit contact-spring 7. When the instrument is not in use and the receiver 4 is on the hook, the stud 1Q presses the contact-spring 6 in enga ement with the contact-spring 5, closing t e ringing-circuit, but, being out of engagement with the contact spring 7, allows the same to free its'elf from engagement with the contact-s ring 8 b its own resilience. When thereceiver 4 is lifted from oli the hook and the hook is moved upwardlyunder tension of the usual spring 11, the stud 10 will move down to force thecontact-spring 7 in en agement with the contact- I spring 8, so as to c ose the talking-circuit and release the contact-spring 6 from engagement with the contactspring 5, so as to 0 en the ringing-circuit. It wi be observe however, that the relationship of the parts is such that the closing of the contact-points 7 and 8 is not effected until approximately the completion of the movement of the telephonehook. The closing of the contact springs7 and 8 will connect the instrument with the line in any ordinary manner, one waybeing as shown in the diagrammatic View, Fig. 5, in which the contactsprings 7 and 8 are shown in series with the transmitter 12 and with the primary of-the induction coil 13 bridged across the main line. I have shown two main lines A and B, and I have shown them directly connected with the central energy generator 14, omittin thejacks, I lugs, dro, s.

switches, keys, and 1i e devices or the sa e of clearness, thetwolines being thus connected with each other',.so that a subscriber on line B is in'a position to talk with a'subscriber on line A. I have shown two in'struments in the diagrammatic view online A, designating them A and A The privacy device comprises electromagnetic coils 15, an armature 16, and an insulating-finger 17, carried thereby. -The coils electric connection with each other, so that cir- Jcuit through the said coils is normally broken.

Thetelephone hook 2 has apin or cam 20, which engages the contact-spring1 18 upon the initial upward movement f t e erethrough, and then passes on, freeing the sasidspring, which moves out'of electrical contactagainbyits ownresilience. Thus the 'telephone-hookin its initial upward movemerit momentarily closes the contacts in the =branch,ineluding the-electronic et15, and

then-o themagain prior to t e closing of the-ta g eircuit contacts 7 and 8. On the --retnrn,movementthe pin or cam is arranged'tp pass along the: inside of the contact- 7 sfiri ngrl8, s'othat contact is only-made upon 6 upward: movement of the'telephone-hook ---a mi' not-ups n the downward movement th ereof. ".Olosingbf -.circuit r'throu h the coils 1'5 energizes: same and attracts t e armature 16 mulatiug-finger w theretoyswingingthe insulating finger 17 hori mentally-in between the talking-circuit contact-springs 7 and 8 above referred to. The l ren between the contactsp'rings land: 8 will-2 revent electrical contactwthereofupon t e completion of the movement: ofitlre telephoneehook, so that'the the insulating-piece thus thrust betweentalking circuit will not be completed. When the contactwsprlngs, the ressure on. the said springs exerted b the ook in its upward movement will. he d'the' insulating-piece by irictio rial-en gagement after the circuit. of the coilslfi has, been broken at the points 18 and 19. :Thetaid. insulating+piece will therefore 1 be so held-andnot released until the telephone-hook'is again lowened. In; this con- I 0:

'nection it will be observed that the operation of the parts should be so timedthat the hook will actually commence tmpi'ess the contactitsiperinfg 7 toward..the-.-contaqt-spring 8 before circuit is broken at-18 and 19 Such movement being-sufficient to nip t'he insulating strip l'Z-between the contacts 7 and 8, but

not saflicient to close circuit between the contints f7 and 8 before the c'u'cuit of the coils 15 has been epened} at .18 19. Referring again tnthediagra mmatic view, itwill beseen, however, that the-closing of contact through the contact sprin 1819 will notenergize thecoils lfi'unless the: ine is alive at the time, and

the line will nly be aliveat this time should some other instrument on the same line be at hook2, pressing the said spring against the contacta ring 19 to close electricalcommunication a telephone hook 2 that jection' 26 will carry mentjeinglimited tent,

.the rear of the projection 26," out 0 that time in use. If another instrument is in use and the-line is alive, a small quantity oi current will be deflected from the return-leg of the circuit down through the contactsprings 19 18, through the coils 15 to ground 21, and lip through ground 22 at the central station back tothe centralenergy generator 14. I

.From the foregoing it will be seen that if the line is not busy the, rivacy device will not operate when the to ephone-receiver 1s removed from theh'ook but when the line is busy the; privacy device will prevent talkingcircuitbeing closed through any'other instrument on thesame line. a

In order to warn the subscriber that the line is busy, I-have provided a'busy-signal comprising an arm 23., loosely pivoted upon the telephone-hook support 3 and its end arranged to protrude through the casing to display the word Busy written thereon. In

order to operate-thearm, I have provided the tele hone-hook with a detent 24, loosely pivote thereon. at 25 such detent being permitted to move out of and into the path of a projection 26, carried by the arm 23.\ 4 The armature16 is provided witha fir'iger27, adapted to engage the detent 24 and to'th row same into the path'of the pro'ection 26 ,when the coils 15'are energized. .heetent will be so moved at the first upward ovemint of the during ts latter movement the detent 24, ngagi'n the prothe b lsy-signal arm up with t to display the busy-sign th' ough the opening 8 in the casing 1;". ab t nent 29 upon t signal-arm 23 f rms avllmitmg-stop for thedetent to limit its forward movement, and th said d'eteut is changed to' drop back toits ormalposition by gravity, such movehi; by t e finger 27. The deowever, will not return by gravity even after the coils 1'5 are denergiggd until the hook is again lowered to its nor al position, it's engagement'with the PI'OJGGUOD 26 being sufficient to prevent such mover-pent.

Thus ashbscriber attempting-to use a telephone on abusy-line will immediately be appraised of the fact by a busy-signal displayed through the casing. Normal movement of the telehone-hook up and down wil not affect the usy-sig-nal arm the detent assin freely to the path thereof and the saidarm ,23 remaining at rest Within the casing.

- WhatI claim is ,7 Q

1. In a telephone system, the combination with a generator and a conductor arranged 'to connect therewith, ofla plurality of telephone instrunyents, each provided with a switch for conn ictin'g-same in talking-circuit -with the condubtor and having-a common return to said generatoigof a privacy device for each instrument mcluding an electro magnet arranged in a normallyv open branch in series with said talking switch, said' branch, when closed, also constituting a rd turn-path from the said switch to the genera-; tor, and means for momentarily closing and then opening the branch oi any one instrument prior to the closing of the talking switch thereo'i, whereby circuit will onl be completed through the privacy branch 0. one instrument and the talking switch of an other instrument.

2. in a telephone system, the combination with a central-energy generator, a line-circuit, and a plurality of telephone instru ments arra'nged'to be connected in said circuit, of a privacy device for each instrument, including an electromagnet, and means, op-

erating when the line-circuit is connected to the generator, for energizing the privacy device of any one instrument only with. the at tempted operation of its own instrument concurrently with another said instrument.

i 3. in a telephone s stem, the combination with a generator an a conductor arranged to connect therewith, of a pluralit' of telephone instruments, each provide with a switch for connecting same in talking-circuitwith the conductor and having a common return to said generator, of a privacy device for each. instrument including an electro magnet arranged'inanormally open branch in series with saidtallring-switch, and an insulator controlled by said electromagnet, adapted to be i tedbetween the contacts 'of said switch, said branch, when closed, also areturn path from the said constituting; 4

. e generator, and means formoswitch to t mentarily -ciosingg and then opening the branch of any oneinstrument prior to the closing of the tallring switchthereoi, whereby circuit willorlly-be completed through the privacy branch-oi one instrument and the talking-switch of another instrument.

. i; In a telephone system, the combination with a central-energy generator, a line-circuit, and a plurality of telephone instru ments arranged-to be connected in said circuit, of a privacy device for each instrument, including an electromagnet, and an insulator controlled thereby adapted to be inserted between the contacts of said switch, and means, operating when'the line-circuit is connected to the generator, for energizing the privacy device of any one instrument only with the attempted operation of its own inrstrument concurrently with another said intill strument.

5. in a telephone s stem, the combination with a generator sue a conductor arranged to connect therewith, of a plu'rality of telephone instruments, each provided with a switch for connecting same in talking-circuit with the conductor and having a common return to said generator, of a busy-s nal device for each instrument including an elec tromagnet arranged in a normally open,

branch in series with said talking-switch, said branch, when "closed, also constituting a return-path from the said switch to the gen eratonand meansior momentarily closing strument prior to the closing of the talking switch thereof, whereby circuit will only be completed through the busy-signal branch of one instrument and the talking-switch of "and then opening the branch of any one iuanother instrument. 7 5

cuit, of a busy-signal device for each instru- 8o ment, including an'electromagnet, and means, operating when the line-circuit is connected to the generator, for energizing the busy-signal device of any one instrument only with the attempted o eration of its own instrument concurrent y with another said instrument. i

7. Iii-a telephone system, the combination with a generator and a conductor arrangedto connect therewith, of a plurality of telephone instruments, each provided with a switch for connecting same in talking-circuit-with the conductor and havin a common return to saidgenerator, of a usy-signaldevice for each instrument including an electromagnet arranged in a normally open branch in series with said. taikin switch, and an insulator controlled by said electromagnet adapted to be inserted between the contacts of said switch, said branch, when closed, also constituting a return-path from the said switch to the generator, and means for momentarily closing and then opening the branch of any one instrument prior to the closing of the tallringswitch thereof, whereby circuit will, 1 only be completed throughthe busy-signal branch of one instrument and the talkingswitch of another instrument.

8. In a telephone system, the combination with a centralenergy generator, a linecirl cuit, and a plurality of telephone instruments arranged to be connected in said circuit, of'a busy-signal device for each instrument, in-' cluding an electromagnet, and an insulators controlled thereby adapted to be inserted be 1 tween the contacts of said switch, and means, operating when the line-circuit is connected to the generator, for energizing the'busy-signal device of any one instrument only with the attempted o oration of'its own instrumo ment concurrent y with another said instru' ment.

9. In a telephone system, the combination with a generator and a conductor arranged to connect therewith, of a plurality of telephone 1 instruments, each provided with a switch for connecting same in talking-circuit with the conductor and having a common return to said generator, of a busy-signal and priyiacy device for each instrument-including an efihw r tromagnet arranged in a normally open.

5 ator, and means for momentarily closing and then opening the branch of any one instrument prior .to the closin of the talkingswitch thereof, whereby said circuit will only be completed'through the busy-signal and privacy branch of-one instrument and the talkin -switch of another instrument.

10. n a tele hone system, the combination with a centre -energy generator, a line-circuit, and a plurality of telephone instruments arranged to be connected in said circuit, of a busy-signal and privacy device for each instrument, includm an electromagnet, and means, operating w en the line-circuit is connected to the generator, for energizing the busy-signal and privacy device of any one inv strument only with the attempted operation of its own instrument concurrently with another said instrument.

1 1. In a telephone system, the combination with a generator and a conductor arranged to connect therewith, of a plurality of telephone instruments, each provided with a switch for connecting same. in talking-circuit with the conductor and having a common return to said generator, of a busy-signal and privacy device for each instrument includin an electromagnet arranged in a norms 1y open branch in series with said talkin -switch, and an insulator controlled by saif electromagnet, adapted to be inserted between the con tacts of said switch, said branch, when closed, also constituting a return-path from the said switch to the generator, and means for momentarily closing and then openingthe branch the talking-switch thereof, 'whereb will only be completed through the usy-signal an privacy branch of one instrument and the talking-switch of another instrument.

12. In a tele hone system,the combination with a centre -energy generator, a line-cirsuit, and a plurality of telephone instruments circuit strument, includingan electromagnet, and an insulator control (1 thereby, adapted to be inserted between the contacts of said switch, and means, operating when the line-circuit is connected to the generator, for ener izing the busy-signal and priyacy device 0 any one instrument only with the attempted 0 eration of its own instrument concurrent y with another said instrument.

13. In a telephone system, the combination with a rivacy device, a circuit-closer therefor, and a receiver-hook, of means operated by the receiver-hook durin its upward move-. ment, and upon 'upwar movement only thereof, to momentarily operate the circuit- 6 5 closer.

of any one instrument prior to the closing of e17,seo

'14. In a telephone system, the combination with a rivacy device, a circuit-closer therefor, and a receiver-hook, of means connected with the receiver-hook for momentarily closing the said circuit-closer upon upward movement thereof, said means failing to operatively engage the circuit-closer upon return movement of the hook. I

15. In a telephone system, the combination with a busy-signal, a circuit-closer therefor,

' and a receiver-hook, of means operated by thereceiver-hook during :its upward movement, and upon upward movement only thereof, to momentarily operate the circuit; closer. I I

' 16. In a teiephone system, the combination with a busy-si 'nah'a circuit-closer therefor, and a receiver- -hook, ofineansconnected with the receiver-hook for momentarilyclosing'the said circuit-closer upon upward move? ment, thereof, said means failing to operatively engage the circuit-closer upon return movement of the hook. j V

17.'In a telephone system, the combination with a-privacy device and busy-signaL 'a circuit-closer therefor, ands roceiver hook,

' of means operated by the reeeiver-hookdun ing its upward movement, and upon upwardmovement only thereof, to momentarily op-. erate the circuit closer.

. 18.- In a telephone system) the combination with a privacy devlceandbusy-signal,a

circuit-closer therefor, and a TGCBIVQT-hOOk,

of means connected with the receiver hook' for momentarily closing the said circuitcloser upon upward movement thereof, said means failing to op'eratively engage -thecir-' cuit-closer 'upon return movement of the hook. L

19'. In a telephone ap aratus. the combination with a telephone- 00k and. an electromagnet arrangedto be energized upon the upward -movement Lof ,ithe said telephonehook, of a detent carried by said telephonehook, and a busy-signal, said detent arranged to be-shifted to aposition to engage said busy- I signalupon upward movement of the tele-v arranged to be connected 1n said circuit, of a pbusy-signal and privacy device for each inone-hook, when the said electromagnet is energized.

20, In a telephone ap aratus, the combine;-

tion with a telephoneook, and an electromagnet adapted to be ener ized upon the upward movement of the sai hook, of a pivoted detent carried bysaid hook, a connection therefrom to the armature of said.electromagnet, and a busy-signal arranged to be engaged by said detent during the upward; movement of the telephone-hook, when said electromagriet' has been energized. 21. In a te'lephoneapparatus, the combination with a pivoted telephone-hook, an electromagnet, and a circuit-closer therefor oper ated by tlle-telephone-hook in its upward movement, of a busy-si nal loosely ivoted coincidently with sald te lephone-hoo a detent carried by'said telephone-hook, said detent arranged to be operated by the said elec tromagnet, and, when so operated, to engage the busy-'si nal upon upward movement of the said hoo to set the busy-signal;

'22. In a telephone system; the combination with ageneratOr, two conductors ar- -in takl instruments 7 each: provi ed 'wit 'branehviconnected at "itsopposite ends to one t randmeans for momentarily closing and then .iopening gthe' branch .of an one instrument of the said conductors at two points therein,

prior to ggtl'ie operating; 0 athe said". switch thereof; y y

23'. In a central-ener telephone system, 'the combination rwitha centre ator, two conductors arrangedtoconnect energy generwith opposite oles thereof, 'a ground connection for one po e, and a luralitfiof telephone bridging same in talking-circuit across the said conductors, of a privacy device for each instrument arranged in a normally open branch connected at one end to a point between the said switch and the grounded side of the generator, and at the other end connected with ground, and means for momentarily closing and then opening the said a branch of any one instrument prior to operating the said switch thereof.

'24. In a central-ener y telephone system, the combination with a me-circuit and a generator in normal connection therewith, of a plurality of telephone instruments and vacy devices therefor each including an e cotromagnetfand means for electrically connecting the electroniagnet for the privacy de vice of any one instrument with the line, only while another instrument is in use.-

In witness whereof I have'hereunto set my hand this 15th dayfofAngust, 1904.

. EGBERT A. REYNOLDS Witnesses: i

FRANK B. VERMILYA.

a switch for D. A. REYNOLDS. 

